GERMAN NAVAL PLANS

Press, Issue 22599, 3 January 1939, Page 9

GERMAN NAVAL PLANS

Submarine Parity

With Britain I

TREATY RIGHTS INVOKED Conversations Held In Berlin -(BRITISH OTPICIAL WIRELESS.) | (Received January 2, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY. December 31. The British Naval Mission to Germany, headed by Vice-Admiral A. B. Cunningham, Deputy-rChief of the Naval Staff, was due to return to London from Berlin to-day. The mission, which left London last Thursday; has been discussing with the German authorities matters arising from Germany’s announcing her intention to exercise her rights under the British-German Naval Agreement to build submarine tonnage equal to the total of British submarine tonnage. A communique issued in London stated: “The conversations were held in a most friendly atmosphere. The representatives of the two Governments expressed their views on the points at issue, and Germany will in due course give a definite reply in writing.”

United Press Association messages mention a second German claim, under the London Naval Treaty of 1937, affecting the restriction on the building of 10,000-ton cruisers, of which Germany is permitted to have no more than three.

The Australian Associated Press states that, although it is claimed the move- is * not as serious as it appears on the surface, mneasiness has been caused by Germany’s announcement of her intention to exercise her rights under the 1935 agreement and the London Naval Treaty of 1937 and to build submarine tonnage equal to the total of British submarine tonnage. It is recalled that the inclusion of these rights in the first agreement was much critidised at the time of signing, it being regarded as the price paid for an otherwise satisfactory treaty.

Strength in Cruisers Germany has acted in strict accordance with the treaty by advising her intentions-within the limit. The first and most important claim concerns her right to have equal submarine tonnage, instead of 45 per cent, of the total British submarine tonnage. An important provision of the treaty, which is irrevocable, is that the total German tonnage of-all classes must not exceed 35 per cent, of the British. Therefore if Germany is building more submarines she must cut down in other categories. It is believed that Germany will require to devote a tonnage of 45,000 to submarines to enable her to equal the present British tonnage, which is about 70.000. 20,000 tons more than at the time the treaty was sighed. It is estimated that the numbers of submarines owned- by the principal Powers at present are:—Russia 150, United States 84, France 75, Italy 74, Japan 57, United Kingdom 43, Germany 17 large, 24 small. The second German claim concerns a restriction under the agreement of 1937 on cruisers with a maximum displacement of 10,000 tons and a maximum armament of Sin guns. Germany was restricted to three of such vessels unless Russia built more than five.

In Berlin neutral observers give the opinion that the German naval action is prompted by the growth of the Russian submarine fleet, which is listed by the German naval almanac as 160, totalling 81,000 tons, with , a large number under construction. The almanac credits Germany with 43, totalling 16,445 tons, and 28 being constructed.

Agreed- Procedure Followed

An earlier communique issued in London stated:—

“The German Government recently notified His Majesty’s Government in accordance with the procedure laid down by the AneloGeiman "Naval Agreement, of its intention to exercise certain rights conferred upon it by that agreement. Representatives of the Admiralty left London for Berlin on Thursday to discuss with the German authorities concerned the questions arising from the notification.” Germany undertook in 1935 that her submarine tonnage should not exceed 45 per cent, of the total submarine tonnage possessed by the British Commonwealth, but reserved the right in the event of a situation arising, which in her opinion made it necessary for Germany to avail herself of the right to equality in submarine tonnage, to give notice to this effect to the British Government. It was agreed that the matter should be the subject of friendly discussion before the German Government exercised that right.

The British Government recently notified other naval Powers with wh<pm she has treaties of Germany’s desire to exercise her rights under the Anglo-German agreement. These Powers are the United States, r lance, and Italy, signatories to the London Naval Treaty, and Russia, Poland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.